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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/16/1988 Meeting e M I NUT E S City Council Council Chamber--City Hall March 16, 1988 Noon PRESENT: Freeman Holmer, Ruth Bascom, Debra Ehrman, Jeff Miller, Roger Rutan, Emily Schue. ABSENT: Mayor Brian B. Obie, Cynthia Wooten, Robert Bennett. The adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene was called to order by Council President Freeman Holmer. I. ITEMS FROM THE COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. Highway 126 Ms. Schue pointed out for the council that a half-victory was achieved when the Oregon Department of Transportation approved Access Oregon funds to up- 4It grade Highway 126 from Florence to Eugene. B. Airport Bond Indebtedness Mr. Miller asked haw the City is paying the bond indebtedness on the airport in relation to the money set aside for capital funds. He said it is his understanding there is a $2.3 million cap that does not include airport con- struction payback. Dave Whitlow, Assistant City Manager, said that issue will be addressed during the budget process. He said the $2.3 million is in the capital budget, al- though not all of it is funded. Ms. Bascom asked if the $500,000 earmarked for airport bonds is part of the $2.3 million. Mr. Whitlow said that is being handled outside of the capital budget. He added the capital budget was not reduced because of the airport project. He said it will be reduced to some degree. Mr. Whitlow agreed to draft a one-page summary detailing the airport bond indebtedness in relation to the capital improvement budget. C. Dedications Ms. Bascom said she attended dedications for the new Lane County jail psychi- atric facility and the new emergency care facility on Highway 99. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 16, 1988 Page 1 e D. Downtown Development District Funding Mr. Holmer reminded the council they approved an ordinance Monday night fi- nancing the Downtown Development District through property taxes. He said he fears the ballot explanation overstates the council.s case. E. Voters' Pamphlet Committee Mr. Holmer said the committee working on the the Nuclear Free Zone held its first meeting. He said the committee will review nominations for the fifth member of the committee at a meeting later today. II. APPOINTMENTS: NOTIFICATION OF MAYORIS APPOINTMENTS TO THE 1988 EUGENE CELEBRATION STEERING COMMITTEE Mr. Holmer read the names of the following appointees: Jay Berman, 3828 Colony Oaks Drive, Eugene 97405 for a term ending December 31, 1988. Karen Burdick, 2776 Bowmont Drive, Eugene 97405 for a term ending December 31, 1988. Don Essig, 2282 Birchwood Avenue, Eugene 97401 for reappointment for a term ending December 31, 1988. e Linda Ferrier, 2209 Monroe No. B, Eugene 97405 for a term ending December 31, 1988. Charles Hale, 1973 Buck, Eugene 97405 for a term ending December 31, 1988. Kathleen Kerkhoff, 2090 Hawkins Lane, Eugene 97405 for a term ending December 31, 1988. Doris Maddox, 809 Waite Street, Eugene 97402 for a term ending December 31, 1988. Patricia Matteri, 2287 McMillan Street, Eugene 97405 for a term ending December 31, 1988. Ralph Mayes, 1635 Ferry No.1, Eugene 97401 for reappointment for a term ending December 31, 1988. Bernie Murphy, 510 East 50th Avenue, Eugene 97405 for reappointment for a term ending December 31, 1988. Christy Obie-Barrett, 3247 Lincoln Street, Eugene 97405 for reappointment for a term ending December 31, 1988. Margaret Oritz, 4640 Manzanita, Eugene 97405 for a term ending December 31, 1988. e MINUTES-'-Eugene Ci ty Council March 16, 1988 Page 2 e Paula Russell, 2635 Birchwood, Eugene 97401 for a term ending December 31, 1988. Mary Simon, 3333 Storey Boulevard, Eugene 97405 for reappointment for a term ending December 31, 1988. Lorette Waggoner, 2163 Marlow Lane, Eugene 97401 for reappointment for a term ending December 31, 1988. III. CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF LUNCH/WORK SESSION OF JANUARY 20, 1988; MEETING OF JANUARY 27, 1988; JOINT DINNER/WORK SESSION AND MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8, 1988; MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 1988 Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to approve the City Coun- cil meeting minutes of January 20, 1988; January 27, 1988; February 8, 1988; and February 10, 1988. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. IV. ORDINANCE CONCERNING COMMUNITY SERVICE SPECIALISTS e Assistant City Manager Dave Whitlow introduced the item. Lt. Richard Loveall, Police Services, presented the staff report. He said the Crime Action Task Force proposed the City hire two specialists to respond to certain types of enforcement situations not requiring police officers. He said the Department of Public Safety has hired three specialists. However, he said it is the opinion of the department that the specialists lack the authority to carry out their duties. Lt. Loveall said the ordinance would give the specialists the ability to enforce noise violations as well as parking, abandoned vehicle, and animal regulations. He said the ordinance only gives the specialists the authority to cite offenders. They will not be able to issue traffic citations. Ms. Ehrman asked what kinds of uniforms, if any, the specialists will wear. Lt. Loveall said the specialists will wear grey uniforms. Police officers currently wear blue uniforms. CB 3029--An ordinance concerning Community Service Special- ists, amending Sections 2.660, 4.330, 5.072, 5.225, 5.231, 5.260, 5.275, 5.695, and 5.980 of the City of Eugene Code, 1971; and declaring an emergency. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill, with unani- mous consent of the council, be read the second time by council bill number only, and that enactment be considered at this time. Ms. Ehrman said she thinks the program will be of value to the community. She said she is interested in learning about the volume of citations the e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 16, 1988 Page 3 e specialists issue, and how much the program releases sworn police officers from low-priority duties. Lt. Loveall said the specialists have been on training duty for approximately one month. He said one of the jobs they have been performing is that of desk officers. The specialists have not been working in the field because they lack the proper authority. He added they will not be dealing with mentally disturbed citizens. Mr. Whitlow said staff will provide a status report on the program later in the year. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. Council Bill 3029 was read the second time by council bill number only. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, that the bill be approved and given final passage. Roll call vote; all councilors voting aye, the bill was declared passed (and became Ordinance No. 19542). V. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ALLOCATIONS Assistant City Manager Dave Whitlow introduced the item. Linda Dawson, Devel- opment Department, presented the staff report. She said before the council are two unrelated block grant allocation requests. e Ms. Dawson said the first allocation request is from the Community Development Committee and would increase the initial Targeted Business Assistance Program funding from $50,000 to $65,000. The second recommendation comes from the Joint Social Services Fund and requests $15,000 for building improvements to the White Bird Counseling Clinic. Ms. Schue asked about the applications the City received for Targeted Business Assistance Program (TBAP) funding. Ms. Dawson said the City received 18 applications requesting over $325,000. The loan requests ranged from $3,000 to $65,000. Mr. Rutan said he is somewhat nervous about increasing the funding for the Targeted Business Assistance Program before the council has had an opportunity to review the programls success. Mr. Miller said the $15,000 was intended as part of the original allocation. He said council will be monitoring the program to ensure that it remains a loan program. Ms. Dawson said the intent of the additional $15,000 is to make a stronger commitment to the start-up of the program. In response to questions from Mr. Rutan, she said the allocation request is based on the available amount of money and not the number of potential projects. e Ms. Ehrman asked if the original $50,000 in the program has been spent. Ms. Dawson said the original funds will be combined with the additional $15,000. She said a decision on specific loan funding will be made in April. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 16, 1988 Page 4 e Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to approve the allocation of $15,000 to the Targeted Business Assistance Program. Ms. Ehrman asked if council will receive a report in April after the funds are distributed. Ms. Dawson said council will be provided with that information. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to approve the allocation of $15,000 to White Bird for capital improvements to the facility at 341 West 12th Avenue. Roll call vote; the motion carried unani- mously, 6:0. VI. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORT ON FOURTH AVENUE PLAZA DESIGN Assistant City Manager Dave Whitlow introduced the item. Ms. Bascom presented the report. She reviewed previous council discussions about the design of the Fourth Avenue Plaza. Ms. Bascom said she and Mr. Holmer met with two members of the Eugene Water & Electric Board to discuss the issue. She said the critical issue is whether the plaza design, including the fountain, provides for enough flat, open space. e Ms. Bascom said EWEB members Randy Thwing and Dennis Solin objected to elimi- nating the fountain. In addition, she said the projectls architect rejected her proposals to consider other fountain locations. She said Mr. Thwing and Mr. Solin felt EWES has already compromised on the design, and on bike path and plaza separation issues. Ms. Bascom moved, seconded by Ms. Schue, to approve the design for the EWES plaza with the following qualifiers: Should construction bids be in excess of the $262,000 budgeted by the City, the fountain should be among those features considered for deletion; and Approving further design refinements for the promontory area should be the responsibility of City staff and the council subcommittee. Mr. Holmer said the meeting with board members was the first time the council has discussed a pending issue with EWES. He said there are several upcoming issues at which similar meetings would be helpful. He said the promontory and access to the river are important issues to the City. He said the council has not completely accepted the design before EWES, and he said the board recognizes that future changes are possible. Roll call vote; the motion carried unanimously, 6:0. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 16, 1988 Page 5 e VII. SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCIL SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT Assistant City Manager Dave Whitlow introduced the item. Laurie Swanson, Executive Director, and Liz Cawood, Chairperson, presented the report. Ms. Cawood said the Southern Willamette Private Industry Council (SWPIC) has an active partnership with the community. She said SWPIC conducts several programs with Lane Community College. The council is directing more efforts toward at-risk youth and putting a stronger emphasis on the summer youth programs. Ms. Cawood said the council received the National Dislocated Worker Award in September 1987, as the best program of its kind in the country. She said she attended an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. and was able to meet others involved in similar programs throughout the nation. In addition, she said the State of Oregon is recognized nationally for running quality private industry programs. Ms. Cawood said unfortunately the council is facing a $1 million shortfall in next year's budget. The council is looking for other revenue sources, and has been selected to participate in a pilot job program being conducted throughout the state. She said the council will be doing vocational assessment for the Springfield office of Adult and Family Services. She said the program will bring the council approximately $236,000 in the next 18 months. Ms. Cawood said the council is also reviewing its budget in search of areas where expens- es can be trimmed. e Ms. Swanson said SWPIC and City staff have a good working relationship. She said the council works regularly with the Development Department and the Metropolitan Partnership. Ms. Swanson said the council is identified as the first agency prospective businesses should contact when seeking trained workers. She said Melamine Laminate Decorative Inc. is a good example of a company SWPIC aided in re- cruiting, training, and vocational assessment. She said the company started with 15 employees paid $8-$9 an hour. She said the council has been involved with a food processing company that will be formally announced at the end of the month. Ms. Swanson said the council is also performing work outside Eugene/Springfield. The council has been working with Lane County residents impacted by Bohemia Inc.'s purchase of the International Paper mill in Gardiner. Mr. Rutan said the council is a well-managed program. He said the council does a good job providing prospective businesses with practical information about the area. Mr. Miller reported the owner of the food processing company said he would have decided on Eugene immediately if he had met first with SWPIC. The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 16, 1988 Page 6 . e e R.espe~tfUl1 S,~b. m.itt~.dr. ??,~.,-". ,f"':" , .;',' -/ ?'" .' Mich 1 D. GleaS~ . ,-, City Manager (Recorded by Todd Nissen) mncc031688 MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 16, 1988 Page 7